Heather Crouch received a standing ovation at Netball South West's AGM and Goalden Globes last Sunday with many of the audience reduced to tears. It was however not a sad occasion but a celebration of the wonderful years that Heather has given to the South West Communities in her capacity as Chair, a role which she has recently stepped down from.

Linda Dyer, speaking on behalf of the Board and its members, shared a wonderful tribute in honour of the fantastic services that Heather has given, not just to Netball South West but to the many other sporting organisations Heather has been involved with, including our own National Governing Body, England Netball and outside this, Sports Coach UK where Heather was involved at Board Level.

Heather was certainly not expecting this accolade, and was somewhat taken by surprise. Gilly Salter, Director of Netball South West's Media and Communications shared "Heather has been an inspirational leader in her capacity as chair putting Netball South West at the forefront of her life building our reputation to become the best region in England. Many of us can only look up and admire all that she is, all that she has delivered and all that she continues to do."

To round off a great day, Heather was appointed as Netball South West's first President - a role that she is thrilled to have been appointed into and a role that she knows will keep her in touch with the sport we love so much, the friends within the communities she has made, to keep netball moving forward.